CANNES / MUMBAI – In a milestone moment for the Indian media and advertising fraternity, Anupriya Acharya, CEO of Publicis Groupe South Asia, has been named the Jury President for the Creative Data Lions at the Cannes Lions 2026 International Festival of Creativity.
The announcement, made on February 3, 2026, marks the first time an Indian has ever chaired this specific jury since the category was introduced in 2015. Acharya is also the first leader from India’s media sector to be elevated to the role of Jury President for this prestigious discipline.
Breaking the “Data vs. Creativity” Myth
The Creative Data Lions honor work that demonstrates how data can be used with originality and rigor to drive powerful creative solutions. Acharya, a veteran of the media world, views this appointment as an opportunity to change the industry’s perception of “numbers.”
“There is often a misconception that data limits creativity, when in fact it can expand its possibilities—informing ideas, experiences, and content that are meaningful, measurable, and relevant at scale,” Acharya stated following the announcement.
Indian Powerhouse at Cannes 2026
Acharya is joined by another prominent Indian leader in the 2026 Jury President lineup, showcasing India’s growing influence on the global creative stage:
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Anupriya Acharya (Publicis Groupe): Jury President, Creative Data Lions.
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Kainaz Karmakar (CCO, Ogilvy India): Jury President, Health & Wellness Lions.
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Sindhuja Rai (Chief Client Officer, WPP Media): Jury President, Media Lions.
Cannes Lions 2026: Fast Facts
| Event Detail | Details |
| Festival Dates | June 22 – 26, 2026 |
| Location | Cannes, France |
| Category Focus | Creative Data (Interplay of data, AI, and Tech) |
| Key Deadline | Awards submissions open until April 9, 2026 |
The Strategic Significance
Acharya’s appointment comes at a time when Generative AI and Predictive Analytics are becoming central to advertising. As the head of the Creative Data jury, she will be responsible for setting the global benchmark for how brands use “imagination and responsibility” to convert raw data into human-centric storytelling that drives real business results.
